It has been reported that Tabcorp was banned from taking bets on the UFC 193 event in Melbourne in November by Victoria’s gambling regulator.
The ban arrived amid warnings that UFC was vulnerable to money laundering by figures in organised crime and corruption. This became the first time that the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation had refused an official request for betting on a sporting event.
A spokeswoman for the Commission stated: “In determining the application the VCGLR formed a view that UFC does not have appropriate policies or measures in place as required by Victoria’s gambling laws.”
It was at UFC 193 that Holly Holm caused a major upset by beating Ronda Rousey in the second round, the event attracted a record 56,000 attendees in addition to a large, global television audience.
Tom Wright, UFC Executive Vice-President, defended the organisation and told Fairfax Media that he was baffled by the decision. He added that the UFC’s global compliance unit dealt with “each and every complaint.”
Though the Commission was able to prevent Victoria province licensed Tabcorp from taking bets on the event, it could not prevent bets being placed with interstate and offshore operators.
A spokesperson for the Victoria Police said: “Any sport where there are two people competing against each other and where a betting agency is taking bets, is open to corruption. The risk of corruption increases where the betting agency operates offshore and is not under the regulatory environment of the VCGLR.”